Oksana Baiul made headlines recently with a surprising announcement that she was giving up custody of her daughter as part of her divorce from Carlo Farina. Baiul first captured the world’s attention back in 1994 when she won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating for Ukraine at just 16 years old.
The former figure skater and her ex-husband, who was also her manager, managed to keep a low profile throughout their relationship and marriage. However, their split and unusual custody arrangement have thrust them into the spotlight.
Baiul’s personal struggles, including a drinking problem and a 1997 drunk driving incident, have been well-documented. Despite these challenges, she remained a popular figure in the industry.
In August 2025, Baiul announced the end of her marriage to Farina in a heartfelt social media post. The couple had relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana in 2022 for business opportunities, but it didn’t work out as planned, leading Baiul to list their Louisiana home for sale in 2025.
Farina, an oil and gas entrepreneur and investor, has dabbled in various industries throughout his career. He played a crucial role in helping Baiul uncover financial discrepancies in her accounts with prominent agencies, leading to a successful lawsuit.
Baiul and Farina share a daughter, Sophia, born in 2015. While details of their custody arrangement are not fully disclosed, Farina was granted primary custody of Sophia with the ability to move her to Las Vegas. Baiul is required to attend anger management courses and submit to drug and alcohol testing as part of the agreement.
As Baiul navigates this challenging chapter in her life, it’s clear that her focus is on the well-being of her daughter and the transition to a new future.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.